CN112888411B

CN112888411B - Device for supporting a person

Info

Publication number: CN112888411B
Application number: CN201980050317.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: H·沃温德; C·W·丁克
Original assignee: Dink 7 Charm Co ltd; Hans Wowende Co ltd
Current assignee: Dink 7 Charm Co ltd; Hansworth Windby Hill LLC
Priority date: 2018-05-29
Filing date: 2019-05-28
Publication date: 2023-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-28
Also published as: EP3801430A1; US11786422B2; US20230190552A1; NL2021000B1; CN112888411A; US20210137757A1; WO2019231317A1

Abstract

A support device having a main support surface for a person's body, comprising an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, wherein the auxiliary device comprises: -a set of support elements for supporting the main support surface, the set being positioned on a side of the main support surface facing away from the body support side, -wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface, -an adjustment device for each sub-support surface for influencing the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and thus the local height of the main support surface, characterized by-a monitoring device for each sub-support surface for monitoring the height of the respective sub-support surface and/or the force exerted by a person on the respective sub-support surface, and-a programmable control unit for controlling the adjustment device in response to data received from the monitoring device, -wherein the support elements each comprise an elastically bendable plate connected to the adjustment device so as to be influenced thereby in terms of its degree of bending, -wherein the plate is connected to the sub-support surface so as to influence the height of the sub-support surface in dependence on the degree of bending exerted by the adjustment device, wherein the adjustment device comprises a concave surface on the side of the respective motor.

Description

Device for supporting a person

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a person. The person using the device may be supported while sitting or leaning on. The field of application of the invention is directed to improving the comfort of the person in question, in particular when the person needs to be supported for a long time, such as in the transportation industry, in particular truck drivers and couriers. Another field of application is directed to medical effects, in particular against pressure sores (pressure sores) of people, such as sitting or reclining. Another field of application is occupational therapy.

Background

Devices designed for one or more of the above-mentioned applications are known which have a primary or main support surface/contact surface for the body of a person, and a set of support elements which are positioned below the main support surface and each define a secondary or sub-support surface on which the main support surface is supported. By adjusting the height of each of the sub-support surfaces in a controlled manner, the shape of the main support surface can be influenced when a person sits or lies on the main support surface.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a support device of the type mentioned in the preamble, with which a precise local setting of the shape of the support surface for the user can be achieved.

It is an object of the invention to provide a support device of the type mentioned in the preamble, with which the shape of the support surface for the user can be adjusted to a large extent to the actual situation, considered in the vertical direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a support device of the type mentioned in the preamble, which can be compact in the vertical direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a support device of the type mentioned in the preamble with which an accurate distribution of the force exerted by the user thereon can be achieved.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a support device having a main support surface for a person's body, comprising an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, wherein the auxiliary device comprises:

a set of support elements for supporting the main support surface, the set being positioned on a side of the main support surface facing away from the body support side, wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface,

-an adjustment means for each sub-support surface for influencing the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and thus influencing the local height of the main support surface,

-monitoring means for each sub-support surface for monitoring the height of the respective sub-support surface relative to the reference plane and/or the force exerted by a person on the respective sub-support surface, and

a programmable control unit for controlling the adjusting means in response to data received from the monitoring means,

-wherein the support elements each comprise an elastically bendable plate (bending plate) connected to the adjustment device so as to be thereby influenced in terms of its degree of bending,

-wherein the curved plate is connected to the sub-support surface in order to influence the height of the sub-support surface in dependence of the degree of curvature applied by the adjustment means, wherein the adjustment means each comprise a motor on the concave side of the curved plate.

The support device according to the invention provides the possibility of adjusting the shape of the main support surface or the distribution of the force exerted by the user on the main support surface in response to the actual situation. The combination of the adjustment means and the motor (which is preferably a stepping motor) for each sub-support surface, the monitoring means and the curved plate make it possible to precisely influence, in particular adjust, the sub-support surface and thus the main support surface. Then, since the motor and the curved plate may at least partially coincide in the vertical direction, the occupation of space in the vertical direction may be limited, so to speak, the motor may be at least partially surrounded by the curved plate. In one embodiment, the curved plate is positioned such that the concave side is at its bottom side.

A precise influencing, in particular adjustment, can be facilitated if the support elements each comprise two curved plates, which are placed on top of each other with their concave sides facing each other, wherein the motor is located between the two curved plates. In that case, the electric motor does not increase the structural height of the support element.

In a compact embodiment, the motor is attached to one end of the curved plates or to the adjacent ends of two curved plates, to move jointly with them,

-wherein the adjustment device further comprises a drive member driven by the motor and drivingly connected at one end to the other end of the curved plate or to the other ends of the two curved plates. The drive member may then be a shaft, such as a spindle, which is moved linearly by a motor, in particular a step motor (stepper motor).

In a further development of the support device according to the invention, it comprises a frame and

-a bending element which is elastically bendable in a vertical plane and by means of which the respective support element is attached to the frame,

-wherein the monitoring means comprise a sensor for monitoring the bending of the bending element and/or the force exerted by a user on the bending element,

-wherein the sensor is connected to the control unit for providing a signal to the control unit, the signal being indicative of the bending element and/or the force exerted by a user on the bending element,

-wherein the control unit is configured for calculating the vertical position of the support element and/or the force exerted on the bending element based on the signals received from the sensors. The bending elements are deformed by the load on the respective support element and have the function of providing information about the forces generated, in addition to the supporting function of the support element.

In a simple and reliable operating embodiment, the bending elements each comprise an elastically bendable beam,

-wherein the sensors each comprise a resistive strain gauge disposed on the beam.

In a further development thereof, the beam is clamped at one end and free at the other end.

In one embodiment, wherein the support element is provided with a bending plate only on one side of the motor, the motor is attached to the beam.

In an alternative embodiment, in which the support element comprises a curved plate on only one side of the motor, the support plate is attached to the beam. In the case of support plates on both sides of the motor, support plates on either side of the motor may be attached to the beam.

In a space-saving embodiment, the location of attachment is in the center (longitudinal center between the two ends) of the respective curved plate.

In the case of a cantilever beam, the location of attachment may be at the free end of the beam, with the result that the movement under the action of vertical forces is as large as possible, which may be beneficial for fine tuning.

In one embodiment, the curved plate or the two curved plates are positioned such that a horizontal distance between two ends of each curved plate changes when the respective curved plate is curved. Then, the center of each curved plate moves vertically while being curved.

For each support element, a stop may be arranged for limiting the vertical downward travel of the bending element.

The sub-support surface may be integrally formed with the curved plate.

In a further development, the sub-support surface of each support element is flat, in particular in a horizontal plane. In this way, the curvature of the curved plate with the convex side facing upwards can be made less pronounced for a person supported on the main support surface. The flat sub-support surfaces may be integrally formed with the respective curved plates. Alternatively, the flat sub-support surface may be part of a small plate added to the respective curved plate, the small plate preferably being attached to the curved plate in a relatively movable manner. The small plates can then be attached to the respective curved plates for hinging, preferably in all directions (universally), such as with spherical hinges. The platelet is then in a body-tracking position, which may be pleasing to the user.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a support device having a main support surface for a person's body, the support device comprising an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, wherein the auxiliary device comprises:

-a set of support elements for supporting the main support surface, the set being positioned on the side of the main support surface facing away from the body support side,

-wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface,

-an adjustment device for each sub-support surface for influencing the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and thus influencing the local height of the main support surface,

-monitoring means for monitoring a parameter indicative of the force exerted by the person on each sub-support surface, and

a programmable control unit connected to the monitoring means for receiving data relating to respective parameters,

-wherein the control unit is configured to:

-calculating a single force F1, F2, …, fn exerted by the person on each sub-support surface based on the data received from the monitoring device,

-calculating the average value "Fmean" of the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn,

-comparing the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn with the calculated Fmean, and

-controlling the adjustment means to change the height of the respective sub-support surface based on the result of the comparison in order to reduce the difference between the calculated single force on the sub-support surface and the calculated Fmean if the difference exists. The average "Fmean" may be determined as an arithmetic average.

In one embodiment, only those sub-support surfaces, in other words, active support elements, to which the person actually applies a load are included in the calculation.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured for repeatedly receiving data from the monitoring device for each of the support elements for which the adjustment device is controlled, and calculating the force exerted on the sub-support surface each time based on those data, then calculating again the average force and making the comparison, and then controlling again the adjustment device based on the result of the comparison. This corresponds to a control system in which the height of the sub-support surfaces is adjusted stepwise and allows for the effective adjustment of the load of one sub-support surface to the other sub-support surface. Finally, it is possible to approximate the situation where a person exerts the same force on each sub-support surface.

In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to allow a user to select a support element that requires or does not require control by the control unit during use. The control unit may then be configured for placing the selected support element that does not need to be controlled in the lowest position, at least in the low position, as a result of which the support element will be able to remain unloaded by the user. For example, a user who wishes to relieve the load of a particular part of the body (as may be the case, for example, when the user suffers from a bed sore) may place the support element which would otherwise provide support for the area of that point in the lowermost position, so as to ensure that the area will not or hardly be loaded during use. This may be an advantageous option when the users are usually seated on the same chair and usually occupy the same position and place.

In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured for, after obtaining an evenly distributed load at least within an acceptable range, continuing the control process to detect movement of the person relative to the sub-support surface and to control the adjustment device in dependence of the new substantially evenly distributed load condition of the sub-support surface.

As mentioned above, the support elements may each comprise a resiliently flexible plate connected to the adjustment means so as to be adjusted thereby in terms of its degree of curvature,

-wherein the bending plate is connected to the sub-support surface to influence the height of the sub-support surface in dependence of the degree of bending.

In this case, the adjustment devices may also each comprise a motor on the concave side of the curved plate.

According to another aspect, the support device may be equipped with one or more of the features described in claims 1-19.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method for influencing the shape of a main support surface of a support for a person, the method using an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, the auxiliary device comprising:

-a set of support elements for supporting the main support surface, the set being positioned on a side of the main support surface facing away from the body support side,

-wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface,

-wherein there are adjustment means for each sub-support surface for influencing, in particular adjusting, the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and thus the local height of the main support surface; the adjustment means may be operated by a programmable control unit,

-wherein the shape of the main support surface is influenced by influencing, in particular adjusting, the height of at least a number of sub-support surfaces relative to a reference plane and thus the local height of the main support surface,

-wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) Allowing the control unit to operate the adjustment means so that each sub-support surface is in a predetermined position;

b) Allowing a person to sit on the primary support surface;

c) After a period of time, for example 10 seconds, each sub-support surface calculates the (actual) force F1, F2, …, fn exerted by the person on each of said sub-support surfaces;

d) Calculating the average value 'Fmean' of the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn,

e) Comparing the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn with the calculated Fmean, and

f) Based on the result of the comparison, controlling the adjustment device to change the height of the respective sub-support surface so as to reduce the difference between the calculated individual force on the sub-support surface and the calculated Fmean. The average "Fmean" may be determined as an arithmetic average.

The series of steps c) -f) can be carried out repeatedly at short intervals, of the order of the time period (for example, fractions of a second) required for measuring, calculating and operating the adjustment means, which preferably comprise a stepper motor. The interval may be a fraction of a second. Finally, a situation can thus be achieved in which all loaded support elements are loaded substantially uniformly. Pressure peaks can be prevented.

In one embodiment, the series of steps c) -f) are performed as long as a person is supported on the main support surface. In this way, changes in the posture and/or position of the person may be expected. In order for the system not to appear too quiet for the user, a delay of e.g. a few seconds may have been set.

In one embodiment, in step c), only the actual force exerted on the sub-support surface used by the person is calculated. When changing position, the group may be a different group than the previous group.

In one embodiment, in step a), the sub-support surfaces are set at equal heights. The height may be a height between a maximum height and a minimum height.

In one embodiment, prior to step c), in particular prior to step b), the user selects a support element that is or is not required to be controlled by the control unit during use. The user can then instruct the control unit to place the support element selected to be uncontrolled in the lowest position. These lowest positions will not be loaded by the user's body, which may be advantageous when the user wishes to relieve the possible support surface from his body.

In the method according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to use the support device according to the invention as described above and/or in the appended claims.

The aspects and measures described in the present description and claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of the application can also be used separately where possible. The various aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications related thereto. This applies in particular to the measures and aspects described in themselves in the dependent claims.

Drawings

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a wheelchair provided with a seat cushion in which a support device according to the invention is incorporated;

fig. 2A and 2B respectively show an isometric view of the support device according to the invention from obliquely above and a side view thereof;

figures 3A-F show three views of a support element of the support device of figures 2A and 2B, respectively, in different views and in different states;

figure 4 shows a schematic view of a curved plate of a support element in an alternative embodiment; and

fig. 5 shows a flow chart of an example of a user procedure of the support device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The wheelchair 1 in figure 1 is an example of an application of the support arrangement according to the invention. The support device according to the invention can be used in any situation where it is desired to support a person in a sitting or reclining position on a chair or a bed.

The wheelchair 1 comprises a frame 2 supported by wheels, on which frame 2a backrest 3 and a seat 4 are arranged. On the seat 4 a cushion 5 is placed, in which cushion 5 an example of a support means 10 according to the invention is included.

The support device 10 is shown in more detail in fig. 2A and 2B. The support means 10 comprise a set of support elements 6 positioned in a plurality of series, wherein successive series are displaced with respect to each other along half the length of the support elements 6. The set of support elements is surrounded by a band 8 of synthetic foam, of which only two sides of the band 8 are shown. The support element 6 is attached to a rigid chassis 40, and a printed circuit board 41 containing connectors 42 is also located on said rigid chassis 40 slightly higher than the rigid chassis 40. The support elements 6 at their top sides each form a sub-support surface 7, wherein the sub-support surface 7 is covered by a foam rubber layer 30 and is entirely surrounded by a wrap 31 (which forms the main support surface), see fig. 2B. The main support surface and the foam rubber layer are supported on the sub support surface. The support device is provided with a programmable control unit 100, said programmable control unit 100 being provided with a power source, such as a battery.

The support element 6 is shown in more detail in fig. 3A-C. The support element 6 comprises two elastically bendable,

curved plates

9a, 9b, said

curved plates

9a, 9b being bent upwards and downwards, respectively, in a convex form. The curved plates 9a, b may be made of a synthetic material such as nylon. Between the concave sides of the curved plates 9a, b a space a is formed in which a motor, in the example a stepping motor 14, is accommodated. The stepping motor 14 (which is connected to a connector 42 on a printed circuit board 41 via wiring 26 and to the control unit 100 via the printed circuit board 41) is attached to the cut housing 16 and drives the shaft 15 in the horizontal directions B1, B2. The end 15a of the shaft 15 is attached in an end block 18, by means of which end block 18 the beaded end 19a of the bent plate 9a and the beaded end 19b of the bent plate 9b are connected so as to hinge in a vertical plane. The other ends of the

curved plates

9a and 9b are similarly connected to an end block 17 integral with the housing 16.

In its centre, the lowermost bent plate 9b (considered in both longitudinal and width directions) is attached by a bolt connection 20 near the free end of a flat beam 21, said flat beam 21 being clamped on one side, said beam being elastically bendable in a vertical plane. At the other end, the beam 21 is attached by screws 24 in a rigidly clamped manner to a support block 23, which is rigidly attached to a rigid plate 40.

The bolt connection 20 has a downwardly extending head 20a, the head 20a being located above a stop (not shown) attached to the plate 40 and extending upwardly therefrom. Which limits the downward movement of the free end of the beam 21.

A resistive strain gauge 22 is arranged on the beam 21, said strain gauge being connected via wiring 25 to a connection 42 on a printed circuit board 41 and via the printed circuit board 41 to the control unit 100.

In fig. 3D-F it is shown how the vertical distance between the top and the bottom of the curved plate 9a and the curved plate 9b, respectively, can be influenced by operating the support element 6 by the control unit 100. In fig. 3D, the shaft 15 is completely retracted into the stepper motor 14 in the direction B2. The height h3 of the support element 6 thus reaches its maximum. When the stepper motor 14 extends the shaft 15 (direction B1), the horizontal distance between the end blocks 17 and 18 will increase, as a result of which the height h2 of the support element 6 decreases, see fig. 3E. When shaft 15 has extended to its maximum, as shown in FIG. 3F, height h1 reaches its minimum. When the shaft 15 is retracted (direction B2), the height will increase again.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a curved plate 9a, wherein the sub-support surface 7 is formed by a small flat plate 50, which small flat plate 50 is provided at the bottom side with a bearing ball 51, which is accommodated so as to be rotatable in direction C in a bearing cavity 52 formed integrally with the curved plate 9 a.

In practice, once the user has left the support means, for example placed on the wheelchair of fig. 1, and the support means are therefore not loaded, the control unit 100 will control the stepper motors 14 of all the support elements 6 to enter the retracted position of the shaft 15. The relevant state of the resistive strain gauge 22 is stored as a zero position in the control unit. The support device is then calibrated or "zeroed", see also the diagram in fig. 5. Zeroing or calibration may also be performed by fully extending all of the axes. The control unit 100 will then control the stepper motor 14 to extend the shaft 15 to half the extended length. The support device is then ready for use.

When a user is seated on the support surface, the force exerted by the user's body on one support element 6 will be greater than the force exerted on the other support element. Some support elements, in particular those at the edges of the support device, will not be loaded.

The load on the support element 6 will cause the corresponding beam 21 to bend, causing a change in the state of the resistive strain gauge 22 attached to it. This change is detected in the control unit 100, which control unit 100 calculates the force exerted on the beam 21 by using the data of the resistance strain gauge. This is done for all supported support elements. The control unit 100 then calculates the arithmetic mean of those forces.

In the control unit 100, the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn for each loaded support element are then compared with the calculated average force Fmean (referred to as Fm in the figure). If the result is that the force on the support element exceeds Fmean, the stepper motor for that support element is controlled to extend the shaft by one step, for example 2 mm. As a result, the convexity of the two curved plates 9a, b will decrease, as a result of which the sub-bearing surface 7 of the bearing element 6 will become lower. If the result is that the force on the support member is less than Fmean, the stepper motor for that support member is controlled to retract the shaft one step. As a result, the convexity of the two curved plates 9a, b will increase, as a result of which the sub-bearing surface 7 of the bearing element 6 will become higher. On the sub-support surface which is subsequently adjusted lower, the force exerted by the user will become smaller, and on the sub-support surface which is adjusted higher, the force will indeed increase. After this measuring and calculating step and the adjusting step, the process is repeated repeatedly and continuously until F1, F2, …, fn is substantially equal to Fmean.

Subsequently, the steps are continuously performed with the user on the support device, so that the change in the posture of the user can be maintained without adverse effects.

The motors 14 controlling the support elements 6 after the step of comparing the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn with Fmean may in an embodiment be performed in groups, such as, for example, first operating the desired support element in a first group of adjacent support elements, subsequently operating the desired support element in a second group, and so on. This can be done in rapid succession. The power required can be kept limited, which is advantageous when batteries are used for the power supply of the motor.

The invention or inventions are not at all limited to the embodiments described in the description and shown in the drawings. The above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, starting from the above explanation. Variations of the components described in the specification and shown in the drawings are possible. Which may be used separately in other embodiments of one or more of the inventions. Portions of the various examples given may be combined together.

Claims

1. A support device having a main support surface for a person's body, comprising an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, wherein the auxiliary device comprises:

a set of support elements for supporting the main support surface, the set of support elements being positioned on a side of the main support surface facing away from the body support side,

-wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-monitoring means for each sub-support surface for monitoring the height of the respective sub-support surface and/or the force exerted by a person on the respective sub-support surface, and

-wherein the support elements each comprise an elastically bendable bending plate connected to the adjustment means so as to thereby be influenced in terms of the degree of bending of the bending plate,

2. The support device as set forth in claim 1,

-wherein the support elements each comprise two curved plates placed on top of each other, which are facing each other with their concave sides, wherein the motor is located between the two curved plates.

3. The support device according to claim 1 or 2,

-wherein the motor is attached to one end of the curved plates or to adjacent ends of two curved plates to move jointly with them,

-wherein the adjustment device further comprises a drive member driven by the motor and drivingly connected by one end to the other end of the curved plate or to the other ends of the two curved plates.

4. The support device as set forth in claim 3,

-wherein the drive member is a shaft which is linearly moved by the motor.

5. The support device of any of claims 1, 2 or 4, comprising:

-a frame; and

-wherein the control unit is configured for calculating the force exerted on the bending element and the associated vertical position of the support element based on the signals received from the sensors.

6. The support device as set forth in claim 5,

-wherein the bending elements each comprise an elastically bendable beam, an

7. A support arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the beam is clamped at one end and free at the other end.

8. Support device according to claim 6 or 7,

-wherein the support element is provided with a curved plate only on one side of the motor, an

-wherein the motor is attached to the beam.

9. Support device according to claim 6 or 7,

-wherein the curved plate is attached to the beam.

10. The support device as set forth in claim 9,

-wherein the position of attachment of the curved plates to the beam is in the centre of the respective curved plate.

11. Support device according to claim 9 or 10,

-wherein the position where the curved plate is attached to the beam is at the free end of the beam.

12. The support device of any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, or 10,

-wherein the curved plate or both curved plates are positioned such that the horizontal distance between the two ends of each curved plate changes when changing the degree of curvature of the curved plate.

13. A support device according to any one of claims 6, 7 or 10, the device being provided with a stop for limiting the vertical downward travel of the curved element.

14. The support device of any one of claims 6, 7 or 10,

-wherein the sub-support surface of each support element is flat.

15. The support device as set forth in claim 14,

-wherein the flat sub-support surfaces are integrally formed with the respective curved plate.

16. The support device as set forth in claim 14,

-wherein the flat sub-support surface is a part of a small plate added to the respective curved plate.

17. The support device as set forth in claim 16,

-wherein the small plates are attached to respective curved plates for hinging.

18. The support device of any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 15, or 16,

-wherein the motor is a stepper motor.

19. The support device of any of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 15, or 16, wherein the concave side of the curved plate connected to and carried thereby the sub-support surface is a bottom side.

20. The support device as set forth in claim 14,

-wherein the sub-support surface of each support element is in a horizontal plane.

21. The support device of claim 16, wherein the small plate is attached to the curved plate in a relatively movable manner.

22. The support device of claim 17, wherein the small plates are attached to respective curved plates so as to be hinged in all directions.

23. A support device having a main support surface for a person's body, comprising an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, wherein the auxiliary device comprises:

-wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface,

the support device includes:

a programmable control unit connected to the monitoring means for receiving data relating to the parameter,

-wherein the control unit is configured to:

-comparing the calculated forces F1, F2, …, fn with the calculated Fmean, and

-controlling the adjustment means to change the height of the respective sub-support surface based on the result of said comparison, so as to reduce the difference between the calculated single force on the sub-support surface and the calculated Fmean if such difference exists.

24. The support device as set forth in claim 23,

-wherein the control means are configured for including in the calculation only those sub-support surfaces to which the person is actually applying a load.

25. The support device as set forth in claim 23,

-wherein the control unit is configured for repeatedly receiving data from the monitoring device for each of the support elements for which an adjustment device is controlled, and each time calculating a force exerted on the sub-support surface based on those data, then calculating again an average force and making the comparison, and then controlling again the adjustment device based on the result of the comparison.

26. The support device as set forth in claim 23,

-wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the adjustment device of one support element in coordination with the control of the adjustment device of at least one other support element.

27. The support device as set forth in claim 23,

-wherein the control unit is configured for allowing a user to select a support element that needs or does not need to be controlled by the control unit during use.

28. The support device as set forth in claim 23,

-wherein the control unit is further configured for, after obtaining an evenly distributed load at least within an acceptable range, continuing a control procedure to detect a movement of the person relative to the sub-support surface and to control the adjusting means in accordance with the new evenly distributed load condition of the sub-support surface.

29. The support device as set forth in claim 23,

-wherein the support elements each comprise an elastically bendable bending plate connected to the adjustment means in order to thereby be adjusted in the degree of bending of the bending plate,

-wherein the bending plate is connected to the sub-support surface to influence the height of the sub-support surface depending on the degree of bending.

30. The support device as set forth in claim 29,

-wherein the adjustment devices each comprise a motor positioned on the concave side of the curved plate.

31. The support device of claim 26, wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the adjustment device of one support element in coordination with the control of the adjustment device of at least one adjacent support element.

32. The support device of claim 27, wherein the control unit is configured for placing a selected support element that does not need to be controlled in a lowermost position.

33. The support device as set forth in claim 30,

-wherein the motor is positioned on the bottom side of the curved plate.

34. A pillow provided with a support arrangement according to any one of claims 1-33.

35. A chair provided with a support device according to any one of claims 1-33.

36. A mattress provided with a support device according to any one of claims 1-33.

37. A bed provided with a mattress according to claim 36.

38. A method for influencing the shape of a main support surface of a support device for a person, the method using an auxiliary device for influencing the shape of the main support surface, the auxiliary device comprising:

-wherein the support elements each comprise a sub-support surface,

-wherein there is an adjustment means for each sub-support surface for influencing the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and thus the local height of the main support surface; the adjustment means can be operated by a programmable control unit,

-wherein the shape of the main support surface is influenced by influencing the height of at least a number of sub support surfaces relative to a reference plane and thus the local height of the main support surface,

-wherein the method comprises the steps of:

b) Allowing a person to rest on the primary support surface;

c) After a period of time, each sub-support surface calculates the actual force F1, F2, …, fn exerted by the person on each of the sub-support surfaces;

d) Calculating the average value 'Fmean' of the calculated actual forces F1, F2, …, fn,

e) Comparing the calculated actual forces F1, F2, …, fn with the calculated Fmean, and

f) Based on the result of the comparison, the adjustment means is controlled to change the height of the respective sub-support surface in order to reduce the difference between the calculated individual actual force on the sub-support surface and the calculated Fmean.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the first and second portions are selected from the group consisting of,

-wherein a series of steps c) -f) is performed iteratively.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said step of measuring,

-wherein the series of steps c) -f) are performed while a person is supported on the main support surface.

41. The method of claim 38, 39 or 40,

-wherein in step c) the actual force applied is calculated for only those sub-support surfaces on which the load is applied.

42. The method of any one of claims 38-40,

-wherein in step a) the sub-support surfaces are set at equal heights.

43. The method of any one of claims 38-40,

-wherein in step f) the control unit asynchronously operates the adjusting means of the respective sub-support surfaces.

44. The method of claim 43, in which the first and second regions are separated,

-wherein in step f) the control unit asynchronously operates the adjustment means of the adjacent sub-support surfaces.

45. The method according to any one of claims 38-40, wherein prior to step c), a support element is selected which is or is not required to be controlled by the control unit during use.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the control unit places the support element selected as not controlled in a lowest position, at least in a low position in which the user will be unable to exert a load on said support element selected as not controlled or exerts a load on said support element selected as not controlled only to a minimum extent.

47. The method of any one of claims 38-40,

-wherein a support device according to any one of claims 1-33 is used.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the first and second portions are selected from the group consisting of,

-wherein the adjustment means are used to adjust the height of each sub-support surface relative to a reference plane and thus adjust the local height of the main support surface.

49. In accordance with the method set forth in claim 42,

-wherein in step a) the sub-support surface is set at a height between a minimum height and a maximum height.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein said step of selecting said target,

-wherein in step f) the control unit operates the adjusting means of adjacent sub-support surfaces one after the other.

51. The method according to claim 45, wherein prior to step b) a support element is selected which is or is not required to be controlled by the control unit during use.